Operation Heraclius: Difference between revisions
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| conflict = Operation Heraclius | | conflict = Operation Heraclius | ||
| width = 400px | | width = 400px | ||
| partof = | | partof = {{wp|Global War on Terrorism}} | ||
| image = Mollah Abdul Lateef el-Sabet.jpg | | image = Mollah Abdul Lateef el-Sabet.jpg | ||
| image_size = | | image_size = | ||
| alt = | | alt = | ||
| caption = Mollah Abdul Lateef el-Sabet, Taliban lieutenant and orchestrator of the [[Burj Rafal Hostage Crisis]] | | caption = [[Abdul Lateef el-Sabet|Mollah Abdul Lateef el-Sabet]], Taliban lieutenant and orchestrator of the [[Burj Rafal Hostage Crisis]] | ||
| date = 2017 - 2018 | | date = 2017 - 2018 | ||
| place = Saudi Arabia, Pakistan | | place = {{wp|Saudi Arabia}}, {{wp|Pakistan}} | ||
| coordinates = <!--Use the {{coord}} template --> | | coordinates = <!--Use the {{coord}} template --> | ||
| map_type = | | map_type = | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
| territory = | | territory = | ||
| result = British-Saudi victory | | result = British-Saudi victory | ||
*[[Mollah Abdul Lateef el-Sabet]] killed | *[[Abdul Lateef el-Sabet|Mollah Abdul Lateef el-Sabet]] killed | ||
*Taliban's terrorist cell in | *Taliban's terrorist cell in {{wp|Saudi Arabia}} weakened | ||
| status = | | status = | ||
| combatants_header = | | combatants_header = | ||
| combatant1 = {{Flag|United Kingdom}}<br/> | | combatant1 = {{Flag|United Kingdom}}<br/>{{wp|Saudi Arabia}} | ||
| combatant2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Taliban.svg}} | | combatant2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Taliban.svg}} {{wp|Taliban}} | ||
| combatant3 = | | combatant3 = | ||
| commander1 = {{Plainlist| | | commander1 = {{Plainlist| | ||
{{Flag|United Kingdom}} | {{Flag|United Kingdom}} | ||
*[[Alexandra I]] | *[[Alexandra I of the United Kingdom|Alexandra I]] | ||
* | *{{wp|Theresa May}} | ||
* | *{{wp|James Chiswell}} | ||
}}<br/>{{Plainlist| | }}<br/>{{Plainlist| | ||
{{wp|Saudi Arabia}} | |||
{{wp|Muhammad bin Salman}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
| commander2 = [[Abdul Lateef el-Sabet]]{{KIA}}<br/>[[Abdel Tariq]][[File:Skull and crossbones.svg|15px|link=Executed]] | | commander2 = [[Abdul Lateef el-Sabet]]{{KIA}}<br/>[[Abdel Tariq]][[File:Skull and crossbones.svg|15px|link=Executed]] | ||
| Line 39: | Line 39: | ||
| units2 = | | units2 = | ||
| units3 = | | units3 = | ||
| strength1 = 35 | | strength1 = 35 {{wp|UKSF}} and 26 {{wp|MI6}} operators | ||
| strength2 = Unspecified | | strength2 = Unspecified | ||
| strength3 = | | strength3 = | ||
| Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
}} | }} | ||
[[Operation Heraclius]] was a military operation initiated by the | [[Operation Heraclius]] was a military operation initiated by the {{wp|United Kingdom Special Forces}} to hunt down Taliban lieutenant, [[Abdul Lateef el-Sabet|Mollah Abdul Lateef el-Sabet]] and eliminate the Taliban's terrorist cell in {{wp|Saudi Arabia}}. It was initiated in response to the [[Burj Rafal Hostage Crisis]]. | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
In the aftermath of the hostage crisis at the Burj Rafal hotel in Saudi Arabia, the main perpetrator Taalib el-Saladin was identified as one of the leading operators in the establishment of a Taliban terrorist cell in Saudi Arabia. Through extensive efforts, the British government was able to identify Mollah Abdul Lateef el-Sabet, a 51-year old Afghan-Saudi national. Reportedly, during the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, El-Sabet was among the | In the aftermath of the hostage crisis at the {{wp|Burj Rafal}} hotel in {{wp|Saudi Arabia}}, the main perpetrator [[Taalib el-Saladin]] was identified as one of the leading operators in the establishment of a {{wp|Taliban}} terrorist cell in {{wp|Saudi Arabia}}. Through extensive efforts, the British government was able to identify [[Abdul Lateef el-Sabet|Mollah Abdul Lateef el-Sabet]], a 51-year old Afghan-Saudi national. Reportedly, during the {{wp|Soviet intervention in Afghanistan}}, El-Sabet was among the number of men from {{wp|Saudi Arabia}} that went to {{wp|Afghanistan}} to assist the local {{wp|Islamic Unity of Afghanistan Mujahideen|Mujahideen}} in driving out {{wp|Soviet Union|Soviet}} forces from {{wp|Afghanistan}} with the aid of the {{wp|CIA}}. | ||
==Burj Rafal Hostage Crisis== | ==Burj Rafal Hostage Crisis== | ||
In 2017, one of El-Sabet's lieutenants, Taalib El-Saladin was ordered to reportedly assassinate the British monarch | In 2017, one of El-Sabet's lieutenants, [[Taalib El-Saladin]] was ordered to reportedly assassinate the British monarch [[Alexandra I of the United Kingdom|Alexandra]] in retaliation towards her involvement in {{wp|Afghanistan}} as part of the {{wp|UKSF}}. Despite initial success, the plan failed and El-Saladin was killed alongside a few of his comrades while the remaining fighters were interrogated and later executed. | ||
On the 20th of August 2017, the Saudi and British governments reached an agreement on a joint operation to hunt down {{wp|Taliban}} fighters and associates in {{wp|Saudi Arabia}}. | |||
==Operation== | ==Operation== | ||
===November Raid=== | ===November Raid=== | ||
On the 4th of November, in what would be one of the earliest success in the operation, a group of 20 Saudi police officers staged a raid and successfully apprehended 16 Afghan nationals in a private compound in the eastern city of Haradh. Three days later, government news agencies deduced that a further number of 17 Taliban "associates" had been caught in a closed location. | On the 4th of November, in what would be one of the earliest success in the operation, a group of 20 Saudi police officers staged a raid and successfully apprehended 16 Afghan nationals in a private compound in the eastern city of {{wp|Haradh}}. Three days later, government news agencies deduced that a further number of 17 {{wp|Taliban}} "associates" had been caught in a closed location. | ||
===Dawn Raid=== | ===Dawn Raid=== | ||
{{Infobox military conflict | {{Infobox military conflict | ||
| Line 69: | Line 71: | ||
| image_size = | | image_size = | ||
| alt = | | alt = | ||
| caption = Residential compound of [[Abdel Tariq]] in Jubail, | | caption = Residential compound of [[Abdel Tariq]] in {{wp|Jubail}}, {{wp|Saudi Arabia}} | ||
| date = 30 November 2017 | | date = 30 November 2017 | ||
| place = | | place = {{wp|Jubail}}, {{wp|Saudi Arabia}} | ||
| coordinates = <!--Use the {{coord}} template --> | | coordinates = <!--Use the {{coord}} template --> | ||
| map_type = | | map_type = | ||
| Line 85: | Line 87: | ||
| combatants_header = | | combatants_header = | ||
| combatant1 = {{Flag|United Kingdom}} | | combatant1 = {{Flag|United Kingdom}} | ||
| combatant2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Taliban.svg}} | | combatant2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Taliban.svg}} {{wp|Taliban}} | ||
| combatant3 = | | combatant3 = | ||
| commander1 = {{Plainlist| | | commander1 = {{Plainlist| | ||
[[James Chiswell]] | [[James Chiswell]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| Line 96: | Line 97: | ||
| units2 = | | units2 = | ||
| units3 = | | units3 = | ||
| strength1 = 10 | | strength1 = 10 {{wp|UKSF}} operators | ||
| strength2 = 5 armed fighters, 25 civillian | | strength2 = 5 armed fighters, 25 civillian | ||
| strength3 = | | strength3 = | ||
| Line 104: | Line 105: | ||
| notes = | | notes = | ||
| campaignbox = | | campaignbox = | ||
}}<br/>In following up on the success of the [[November Raid]], British SOF operators under Major General [[James Chiswell]] were deployed to Saudi Arabia alongside several MI6 operators. Reportedly, just three days after their arrival, British intelligence were informed of the whereabouts of Abdel Tariq, a minor Taliban commander who was said to had been initially scheduled to lead the insurgency at the Burj Rafal hotel, before the former was replaced in favour of another candidate. | }}<br/>In following up on the success of the [[November Raid]], British SOF operators under Major General [[James Chiswell]] were deployed to Saudi Arabia alongside several {{wp|MI6}} operators. Reportedly, just three days after their arrival, British intelligence were informed of the whereabouts of Abdel Tariq, a minor {{wp|Taliban}} commander who was said to had been initially scheduled to lead the insurgency at the Burj Rafal hotel, before the former was replaced in favour of another candidate. | ||
The planning phase for the raid quickly began on the 19th of November. During the process, British intelligence expertly surveyed and deduced Abdel Tariq's mannerism, his daily schedule and operations. Alongside this was vital information that Abdel Tariq would be holding a private gathering with fellow Taliban "associates" on the 30th. At exactly 1:05 AM, 10 UKSF operators from the Special Air Service successfully staged a raid on Abdel Tariq's compound. The squadron, having initially managed to subdue | The planning phase for the raid quickly began on the 19th of November. During the process, British intelligence expertly surveyed and deduced Abdel Tariq's mannerism, his daily schedule and operations. Alongside this was vital information that Abdel Tariq would be holding a private gathering with fellow Taliban "associates" on the 30th. At exactly 1:05 AM, 10 {{wp|UKSF}} operators from the {{wp|Special Air Service}} successfully staged a raid on Abdel Tariq's compound. The squadron, having initially managed to subdue four armed guards inside the compound was then able to apprehend Abdel Tariq after a mildly tense shootout with the residents of the compound, all the while sustaining zero casualties themselves. | ||
For a subsequent period of three weeks, Abdel Tariq and his surviving fighters were interrogated at a MI6 black site. Luckily, it was then deduced that the lead Taliban leader in Saudi Arabia, Abdul Lateef el-Sabet had not previously been in the kingdom but instead was | For a subsequent period of three weeks, Abdel Tariq and his surviving fighters were interrogated at a {{wp|MI6}} black site. Luckily, it was then deduced that the lead {{wp|Taliban}} leader in {{wp|Saudi Arabia}}, [[Abdul Lateef el-Sabet]] had not previously been in the kingdom but instead was en-route into the country and was expected to arrive in 4 days. | ||
===Hunt for El-Sabet=== | ===Hunt for El-Sabet=== | ||
Unexpectedly, details in regards to Abdel Tariq's capture was relayed to El-Sabet who was then revealed to had been in hiding in the Qatari capital of Doha. When this was made known to British intelligence a few days later, efforts to pressure the Qatari emir into blocking El-Sabet and his entourage's access out of the country turned out mildly successful as Tamim bin Hamad, the Emir of Qatar proved reluctant to assist the British in capturing the Taliban lieutenant. On the 12th of December, confirmed records of El-Sabet departure to Pakistan three days prior were recieved by the MI6. Despite initial unsuccessful efforts to track down El-Sabet's entourage in Pakistan, the Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was reportedly convinced by the queen to cooperate. Subsequently, a raid on El-Sabet's alleged compound proved somewhat fruitless though three men who were allegedly of El-Sabet's entourage were arrested. On the 27th of December, according to disclosed documents, El-Sabet then travelled back to Saudi Arabia under a false identity alongside four of his comrades from the Sheikh Zayed International Airport which led to considerable criticism directed towards Pakistan's security agency for their failure to apprehend El-Sabet and his men beforehand. | Unexpectedly, details in regards to Abdel Tariq's capture was relayed to El-Sabet who was then revealed to had been in hiding in the Qatari capital of Doha. When this was made known to British intelligence a few days later, efforts to pressure the Qatari emir into blocking El-Sabet and his entourage's access out of the country turned out mildly successful as Tamim bin Hamad, the Emir of Qatar proved reluctant to assist the British in capturing the Taliban lieutenant. On the 12th of December, confirmed records of El-Sabet departure to Pakistan three days prior were recieved by the MI6. Despite initial unsuccessful efforts to track down El-Sabet's entourage in Pakistan, the Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was reportedly convinced by the queen to cooperate. Subsequently, a raid on El-Sabet's alleged compound proved somewhat fruitless though three men who were allegedly of El-Sabet's entourage were arrested. On the 27th of December, according to disclosed documents, El-Sabet then travelled back to Saudi Arabia under a false identity alongside four of his comrades from the Sheikh Zayed International Airport which led to considerable criticism directed towards Pakistan's security agency for their failure to apprehend El-Sabet and his men beforehand. | ||
=== | ===Riyadh-Dammam Highway Ambush=== | ||
{{Infobox military conflict | {{Infobox military conflict | ||
| conflict = Riyadh- | | conflict = Riyadh-Dammam Highway Ambush | ||
| width = 30px | | width = 30px | ||
| partof = [[Operation Heraclius]] | | partof = [[Operation Heraclius]] | ||
| Line 123: | Line 124: | ||
| caption = Riyadh-Dammam Highway | | caption = Riyadh-Dammam Highway | ||
| date = 4 January 2018 | | date = 4 January 2018 | ||
| place = | | place = {{wp|Saudi Arabia}} | ||
| coordinates = <!--Use the {{coord}} template --> | | coordinates = <!--Use the {{coord}} template --> | ||
| map_type = | | map_type = | ||
| Line 137: | Line 138: | ||
| combatants_header = | | combatants_header = | ||
| combatant1 = {{Flag|United Kingdom}} | | combatant1 = {{Flag|United Kingdom}} | ||
| combatant2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Taliban.svg}} | | combatant2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Taliban.svg}} {{wp|Taliban}} | ||
| combatant3 = | | combatant3 = | ||
| commander1 = {{Plainlist| | | commander1 = {{Plainlist| | ||
[[James Chiswell]] | [[James Chiswell]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| Line 148: | Line 148: | ||
| units2 = | | units2 = | ||
| units3 = | | units3 = | ||
| strength1 = 25 | | strength1 = 25 {{wp|UKSF}} operators, 1 {{wp|Griffin HAR2}} helicopter | ||
| strength2 = 4 armed fighters | | strength2 = 4 armed fighters | ||
| strength3 = | | strength3 = | ||
| Line 156: | Line 156: | ||
| notes = | | notes = | ||
| campaignbox = | | campaignbox = | ||
}}<br/>After an extensive period of surveillance, British intelligence finally picked up on information which deduced El-Sabet's whereabouts in Saudi Arabia and his subsequent plans to move to Riyadh along the Riyadh-Dammam highway. Alongside this were accurate numbers of El-Sabet's convoy. Not long after El-Sabet's departure at 6:30 AM from the city, an assembled team of 25 UKSF operators quickly went after the convoy. With five teams of five operators each, four of the teams went by land to hunt the entourage down while the fifth group went by air using a RAF Griffin HAR2 helicopter. At 8:26 AM, El-Sabet and his entourage were killed in a brief shootout with British forces. While the operators suffered no casualties, all five of the fighters in the vehicle, including El-Sabet himself were killed by gunfire. | }}<br/>After an extensive period of surveillance, British intelligence finally picked up on information which deduced El-Sabet's whereabouts in {{wp|Saudi Arabia}} and his subsequent plans to move to {{wp|Riyadh}} along the Riyadh-Dammam highway. Alongside this were accurate numbers of El-Sabet's convoy. Not long after El-Sabet's departure at 6:30 AM from the city, an assembled team of 25 {{wp|UKSF}} operators quickly went after the convoy. With five teams of five operators each, four of the teams went by land to hunt the entourage down while the fifth group went by air using a {{wp|RAF}} {{wp|Griffin HAR2}} helicopter. At 8:26 AM, El-Sabet and his entourage were killed in a brief shootout with British forces. While the operators suffered no casualties, all five of the fighters in the vehicle, including El-Sabet himself were killed by gunfire. | ||
==Aftermath== | ==Aftermath== | ||
In the following announcement of the success of the operation, both the Queen and the Prime Minister Theresa May praised and congratulated the UKSF operators involved and the Director of the UKSF, James Chiswell. Subsequently, Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada | In the following announcement of the success of the operation, both the [[Alexandra I of the United Kingdom|Queen]] and the Prime Minister {{wp|Theresa May}} praised and congratulated the {{wp|UKSF}} operators involved and the {{wp|Director Special Forces|Director of the UKSF}}, {{wp|James Chiswell}}. Subsequently, {{wp|Hibatullah Akhundzada|Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada}}, head of the Taliban vigorously condemned the operation as a ''"Western plot to undermine the stability and progress of Islam"''. | ||
Latest revision as of 18:07, 30 April 2020
| Operation Heraclius | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Global War on Terrorism | |||||||
 Mollah Abdul Lateef el-Sabet, Taliban lieutenant and orchestrator of the Burj Rafal Hostage Crisis | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 United KingdomSaudi Arabia |
 Taliban | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
|
Abdul Lateef el-Sabet † Abdel Tariq  | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 35 UKSF and 26 MI6 operators | Unspecified | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 3 killed, 7 wounded | 45 killed, 22 captured | ||||||
Operation Heraclius was a military operation initiated by the United Kingdom Special Forces to hunt down Taliban lieutenant, Mollah Abdul Lateef el-Sabet and eliminate the Taliban's terrorist cell in Saudi Arabia. It was initiated in response to the Burj Rafal Hostage Crisis.
Background
In the aftermath of the hostage crisis at the Burj Rafal hotel in Saudi Arabia, the main perpetrator Taalib el-Saladin was identified as one of the leading operators in the establishment of a Taliban terrorist cell in Saudi Arabia. Through extensive efforts, the British government was able to identify Mollah Abdul Lateef el-Sabet, a 51-year old Afghan-Saudi national. Reportedly, during the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, El-Sabet was among the number of men from Saudi Arabia that went to Afghanistan to assist the local Mujahideen in driving out Soviet forces from Afghanistan with the aid of the CIA.
Burj Rafal Hostage Crisis
In 2017, one of El-Sabet's lieutenants, Taalib El-Saladin was ordered to reportedly assassinate the British monarch Alexandra in retaliation towards her involvement in Afghanistan as part of the UKSF. Despite initial success, the plan failed and El-Saladin was killed alongside a few of his comrades while the remaining fighters were interrogated and later executed.
On the 20th of August 2017, the Saudi and British governments reached an agreement on a joint operation to hunt down Taliban fighters and associates in Saudi Arabia.
Operation
November Raid
On the 4th of November, in what would be one of the earliest success in the operation, a group of 20 Saudi police officers staged a raid and successfully apprehended 16 Afghan nationals in a private compound in the eastern city of Haradh. Three days later, government news agencies deduced that a further number of 17 Taliban "associates" had been caught in a closed location.
Dawn Raid
| Raid on Abdel Tariq's compound | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Operation Heraclius | |||||||
 Residential compound of Abdel Tariq in Jubail, Saudi Arabia | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
|
United Kingdom |
Taliban | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Abdel Tariq | |||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 10 UKSF operators | 5 armed fighters, 25 civillian | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 4 wounded | 7 killed, 11 wounded, 12 captured | ||||||
In following up on the success of the November Raid, British SOF operators under Major General James Chiswell were deployed to Saudi Arabia alongside several MI6 operators. Reportedly, just three days after their arrival, British intelligence were informed of the whereabouts of Abdel Tariq, a minor Taliban commander who was said to had been initially scheduled to lead the insurgency at the Burj Rafal hotel, before the former was replaced in favour of another candidate.
The planning phase for the raid quickly began on the 19th of November. During the process, British intelligence expertly surveyed and deduced Abdel Tariq's mannerism, his daily schedule and operations. Alongside this was vital information that Abdel Tariq would be holding a private gathering with fellow Taliban "associates" on the 30th. At exactly 1:05 AM, 10 UKSF operators from the Special Air Service successfully staged a raid on Abdel Tariq's compound. The squadron, having initially managed to subdue four armed guards inside the compound was then able to apprehend Abdel Tariq after a mildly tense shootout with the residents of the compound, all the while sustaining zero casualties themselves.
For a subsequent period of three weeks, Abdel Tariq and his surviving fighters were interrogated at a MI6 black site. Luckily, it was then deduced that the lead Taliban leader in Saudi Arabia, Abdul Lateef el-Sabet had not previously been in the kingdom but instead was en-route into the country and was expected to arrive in 4 days.
Hunt for El-Sabet
Unexpectedly, details in regards to Abdel Tariq's capture was relayed to El-Sabet who was then revealed to had been in hiding in the Qatari capital of Doha. When this was made known to British intelligence a few days later, efforts to pressure the Qatari emir into blocking El-Sabet and his entourage's access out of the country turned out mildly successful as Tamim bin Hamad, the Emir of Qatar proved reluctant to assist the British in capturing the Taliban lieutenant. On the 12th of December, confirmed records of El-Sabet departure to Pakistan three days prior were recieved by the MI6. Despite initial unsuccessful efforts to track down El-Sabet's entourage in Pakistan, the Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was reportedly convinced by the queen to cooperate. Subsequently, a raid on El-Sabet's alleged compound proved somewhat fruitless though three men who were allegedly of El-Sabet's entourage were arrested. On the 27th of December, according to disclosed documents, El-Sabet then travelled back to Saudi Arabia under a false identity alongside four of his comrades from the Sheikh Zayed International Airport which led to considerable criticism directed towards Pakistan's security agency for their failure to apprehend El-Sabet and his men beforehand.
Riyadh-Dammam Highway Ambush
| Riyadh-Dammam Highway Ambush | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Operation Heraclius | |||||||
 Riyadh-Dammam Highway | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
|
United Kingdom |
Taliban | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Abdul Lateef el-Sabet † | |||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 25 UKSF operators, 1 Griffin HAR2 helicopter | 4 armed fighters | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 2 wounded | All killed | ||||||
After an extensive period of surveillance, British intelligence finally picked up on information which deduced El-Sabet's whereabouts in Saudi Arabia and his subsequent plans to move to Riyadh along the Riyadh-Dammam highway. Alongside this were accurate numbers of El-Sabet's convoy. Not long after El-Sabet's departure at 6:30 AM from the city, an assembled team of 25 UKSF operators quickly went after the convoy. With five teams of five operators each, four of the teams went by land to hunt the entourage down while the fifth group went by air using a RAF Griffin HAR2 helicopter. At 8:26 AM, El-Sabet and his entourage were killed in a brief shootout with British forces. While the operators suffered no casualties, all five of the fighters in the vehicle, including El-Sabet himself were killed by gunfire.
Aftermath
In the following announcement of the success of the operation, both the Queen and the Prime Minister Theresa May praised and congratulated the UKSF operators involved and the Director of the UKSF, James Chiswell. Subsequently, Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, head of the Taliban vigorously condemned the operation as a "Western plot to undermine the stability and progress of Islam".